Where: Massey University Ph: 0800 MASSEY (627 739) or 06 3569099 ext 7348 or ext 7349, email: D.Williams@massey.ac.nz or S.R.Summers@massey.ac.nz,
web: http://gisweb.massey.ac.nz
Entry requirements: Any tertiary degree-level qualification. People without degree but minimum five years of GIS experience can enrol, subject to approval.
Course costs: About $1470 a paper (four papers)
Starting salary: $35,000 to $50,000
KEY POINTS:
People with skills in geographic information systems are in short supply.
The technology is being adopted by more organisations, yet it is still too often considered an add-on, rather than a career in itself.
Geographic information systems are computerised databases that include data about the location of things. GIS can be applied in many contexts, such as archaeology, history, ecology, natural resource management, geography, planning, marketing and tourism.
The postgraduate diploma is an interdisciplinary course that gives students the ability set up and maintain a GIS. Compulsory papers cover core areas of knowledge in GIS, such as database design, data capture and input from a variety of sources (including remote sensing and global positioning systems), data structures and storage, spatial analysis, customisation through programming and cartographic design.
The diploma consists of four papers that can be done extramurally over three years or one year on campus at Massey in Palmerston North. Applications can be made throughout the year. About 40 per cent of the programme is computer laboratory-based, which can be done by distance. The student logs into the GIS server and performs all of the exercises from either a university computer laboratory or from home.
Students can also attend online classes using an Adobe Connect meeting website through which they share ideas and collectively discuss desktop images on their computer.
Students are expected to spend 12 hours a week per paper.
Aside from this Massey postgraduate diploma, the Design and Construction Consultants Industry Training Organisation has a national certificate in GIS and Otago and Massey offer masters programmes in GIS. Other universities offer papers in geography, science and surveying programmes.
THE GRADUATE
Kaye Seymour, 22.
Geographic information systems analyst for Department of Conservation Northland conservancy office in Whangarei.
Completed in May 2007.
I have always had an interest in maps, physical geography and spatial relationships. During my second year of a BSc majoring in geography at Otago University, we touched on GIS.
It stayed in the back of my mind as something I would like to get into.
After getting my BSc, I decided to gain a GIS qualification. I did it extramurally through Massey while working on my parents' farm in Levin for a year, then moved to this job with DoC.
I work as part of the information management unit. I manage a lot of DoC's Northland spatial information and provide support through the GIS to all DoC staff. The job includes making basic maps for staff, generating maps for public signs and creating and mapping monitoring lines for field work. I also create digital elevation models and do spatial analysis and geo-processing and develop projects for staff to use to access conservancy-wide data.
I've recently been mapping the state of DoC campgrounds in the Whangarei area, using the GIS to propose developments including the placing of toilets and showers so the grounds meet national standards. I've always had an interest in the outdoors and DoC allows me to get out of the office occasionally to some amazing places and get paid for it.
DoC also offers lots of opportunities for further study and development which is important because this technology is constantly changing.
The qualification prepared me really well for this job.
There was a high proportion of practical work in the two core papers which had weekly labs that we completed over the internet.
The remote sensing paper, which is done in a block course over two weeks at Massey, is almost all practical work. Massey's extramural approach is good and includes easy access to library books and online databases.
The training focused on developing a strong knowledge base using ARCgis; the market leader in GIS software. This meant I could easily finish tasks as soon as I started work.
THE EMPLOYER
Terry Conaghan.
Department of Conservation.
We employed Kaye because she had the postgraduate diploma, plus the ability to get along with other people and a proven work ethic.
This role requires a good understanding of spatial information systems and an understanding of the quality and limitation of data. You also need an ability to communicate with people at all levels of the organisation.
The qualification meant Kaye quickly became productive, which reduced the amount of on-the-job training required. It also increased her ability to solve problems and develop solutions to technical tasks.
